Shady's

From the outside, Shady’s may look like one of the old residences located along Indian School Road in east Phoenix, but inside, it’s a small pub and lounge with an English flair. Its intimate, living room-like interior is full of stylish touches: black leather booths and chairs, lacquered tables, a fireplace stocked with candles, and caricatures of Ernest Hemmingway and other old-school legends. The lone pool table is almost always busy, classic movies are usually on the TVs, and an actual jukebox (a rarity these days) is stocked with CDs of the third-wave ska, Britpop, funk, and soul variety. The libations are a combo of traditional cocktails, locally produced spirits, and craft and import beers (Guinness, Schöfferhofer, Oak Creek Brewing) while the crowd is young, hip, and arty mixed in with well-to-do Arcadia residents. Visit during happy hour or on weekends and you’ll get to know your fellow patrons fast, thanks to the cozy digs and packed house. Don’t loiter too long without ordering, though, as the staff might ask you to leave if you don’t buy anything.